Charles looked after the two figures, alike in youth and comeliness, dissimilar in everything else, then turned his stern and weary eyes on John Pym, who stood with his plain hat in his hand, waiting for the King to speak.
"Mr. Pym," he said abruptly, "there is much disaffection in the House."
"Yes, sire."
"And parties are very sharply divided," added Charles, alluding to the continued strength of his partisans in the Commons.
John Pym understood him perfectly.
"We have," he answered, "much to contend against, but God hath given us success."
The King's pale face assumed a look even more hard and bitter than before; he knew Pym referred to the passing of the Great Remonstrance which he had carried through the Commons by a narrow majority.
"We?" he exclaimed. "For whom do you speak when you say 'we,' Mr. Pym?"
"For those whom Your Majesty wished to deal with when you sent for me," answered the commoner calmly.
"Ah!" cried the King sharply. "You think you can boast to my face of your power in the Commons!"